Frame modelling of dynammic ecosystems
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Date
1992
Authors
Quadling, Mark Sherwood
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Abstract
This thesis develops the theoretical basis of the qualitative frame based modelling technique,
a paradigm recently proposed by Starfield for the modelling of ecosystems with a multiplicity
of stable states. This technique is a refinement of the State-and- Transition conceptual model
of Westoby et al which involves the division of the ecosystem dynamics into a catelog of
stable 'states' and a suite of transitions between these states. The frame models of Starfield
associate with each stable configuration of the ecosystem a qualitative rule based model for
the key processes in that stable configuration.
The aims of this thesis are the following,
1. A rigorous definition of frame modelling of dynamic ecosystems is proposed, and this
theoretical foundation is used to demonstrate that qualitative frame models may be used to
mode! dynamic ecosystems to an arbitrary accuracy.
2. The development of implementation software. A qualitative rule based frame modelling
environment is presented. and a specification for an improved environment is proposed based
on the theoretical work.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the
Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. in fulfilment of the requirements tor the degree
of Master of Science
Keywords
Biotic communities -- Computer simulation, Population biology -- Computer simulation, Ecology -- Computer simulation, Frames (Information theory), Dynamics